SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – No. 14 Minnesota State tied Augustana 4-4 in overtime Saturday night in CCHA men's hockey at Midco Arena and will head into the holiday break at the top of the standings. Nace Langus scored the only goal in round four of a shootout for Augustana. The Mavericks outshot the Vikings 46-34, and both goaltenders were sharp in overtime.

"The guys stayed with it and played a good game at five-on-five," commented head coach Luke Strand. "We will clean up our special teams. We look forward to closing out the first half Tuesday night against Switzerland."
 
Minnesota State (11-4-5, 8-3-3 CCHA) plays next at home in the World Junior Pre-Tournament Series in an exhibition against Switzerland on Tuesday, December 16 at 7 p.m. CT. Augustana (9-5-3, 6-4-2 CCHA) remained undefeated at home.
 
The teams combined for six first-period goals and Augustana carried a 4-2 lead into intermission. Back in the lineup this weekend, Ean Somoza scored his first goal as a Maverick at even strength to give the Purple and Gold a 1-0 lead after cleaning up a rebound in front of the crease. Tristan Lemyre and Ralfs Bergmanis assisted.
 
Later, Jack Smith tipped in Evan Murr's shot from the top of the circle. Mason Wheeler added the second assist for MSU.
 
Leonid Bulgakov scored Augustana's first goal. Then Jacob Jastrzebski scored on a penalty shot following a breakaway chance. Landon Fandel (even strength) and Nace Landel (power play) also added goals before the end of the period for the Vikings.
 
The Mavericks took advantage of a power play in the second period. Jack Smith rang the far post and Reid Morich cleaned up the rebound at 10:58 for his second of the season. Bergmanis tallied the second assist. Under two minutes later, Bergmanis tied the game 4-4 with his shot through traffic from the left point. Jordan Ronn assisted.
 
Josh Kotai and Alex Tracy made important saves in the third period as the teams headed to 3-on-3 overtime. Tristan Lemyre cut to the front of the net, but Kotai laid down the pad for the stop. Tracy made two successive saves before the Mavericks went on the power play at the three-minute mark. Jakob Stender posted a shot with four seconds on the clock but Kotai made a final glove save.
 
Lemyre, Somoza, Liam Watkins and Smith shot in order for MSU in the shootout before Langus scored to end it in round four.
 
Minnesota State went 1-5 on the power play while Augustana finished 2-2. The Vikings led in blocked shots 18-13.